Welcome to Gaia! ::

The pink. There was so much pink. Why did everywhere have to stick with the same theme, months before it should even be employed? Nina had seen enough hearts to last her the next seven years, let alone enough pink to span that distance twice over. The chocolate... well, the chocolate was a different story. That could stay.

Hearing the crinkling of paper in her hands, it was then that Nina remembered what she was doing at a grocery store in the first place. Glancing down the list of lead chicken scratch, she was happy to note that it wasn't very long. Even happier to note that it had nothing to do with the massive Valentine's displays that scattered throughout the store, bombarding the senses. Even better, she mused with relief, Even more reason to leave as soon as possible.

It was only since Ephron had acquired a job that Nina had to start running the errands she always took for granted. He worked during the day, so it was only natural she'd have to do things on her own during those times. Not that she really minded going down with him to work -- the place was fascinating -- but his boss didn't seem to like the idea of her being parked there all day. Even less happy with the idea of a kid working there, though she knew it would probably help immensely with their financial problems. She was sure that there were other reasons why Ephron's boss didn't want her there, but determined to stay on the optimistic side today, she maintained the idea that he was a decent guy.

Even though all the pink heart visuals were driving her mad. Glaring up at the large sign dangling above her head, she quietly growled at it, "Okay! Everyone gets it already!"

Nina bristled at the sound of another's voice, more over the fact that she hadn't noticed someone come up behind her than the voice itself. In fact, at first, she didn't know if the man was even talking to her, though the snicker seemed to fall at the right time. Keeping herself from spinning around too quickly, she glanced backward, noticing almost immediately that, yes, he was talking to her.

Well, this is awkward, she mused to herself as she fumbled with her shopping list. It wasn't every day that a conversation was started with another facility-spawn in the form of... well, arguing with a sign. A little embarrassed, she all but buried her mouth in the thick folds of her scarf to taper off any other stupid remarks she might make without thinking. After all, she didn't know this guy, so it wasn't like she could really joke around too freely. Not yet.

At least he was amiable, which helped out a great deal. What else would one expect from a liberality child? If she had known, it might have been easier to come out of her shell. Despite herself, though, she had to laugh at the response he made. A little good-natured conversation never really hurt anyone, after all, and remaining silent might come across as anger. "Couldn't agree more with you there," she found herself acknowledging, "Too bad I couldn't wait until then to go shopping; might have other sales, too. It'd be win-win!"

The light clothing the older spawn was wearing did not pass by unnoticed, mostly because everyone else in the store tended to be wearing sleeves or jackets. Off-handedly, she wondered if he also had trouble regulating his body temperature, but thought better than to pry at the moment. Glancing down to the now-crinkled piece of paper in her hands, she gave a nervous chuckle as she tried to straighten it back out without stabbing holes through it, "Yeah, I'm the errand girl. Guess that means that's why you're here as well?" I thought the scarf was there to help me NOT say something stupid, she grumbled inwardly, Why else would someone be here, if they didn't work the shifts? She managed to come up with a quick save, "Couldn't be for the candy. Gonna make it a quick one, with all this Valentine's crap bombarding the store?" Well... not the best, but better than nothing.